Hip replacement surgery is a major undertaking. The University of Washington Orthopedics and Sports Medicine notes that it is a decision focused on your quality of life: If you are regularly avoiding activities you enjoy due to excessive hip pain, it's time to consider the surgery. However, there are a number of less invasive choices that may minimize your pain and help you avoid undergoing this surgical procedure.
Lifestyle Modification
Your doctor may prescribe a pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help manage the pain. She may also suggest the use of a cane as well as weight loss and activity modifications before pursuing a surgical option. Some patients may also try knee injections of cortisone to help with pain management. Certain exercises can be prescribed to strengthen muscles that support the hip.
Osteotomy
If lifestyle modifications are ineffective, an osteotomy may be an option, according to the National Institutes of Health. In this procedure, which is less complex than a full hip replacement, the bone is cut and realigned to shift weight from damaged surfaces that are causing the pain. Full recovery takes between six and 12 months. Your hip may still deteriorate, however, and future surgeries, including full hip replacement, may eventually be required.
Hip Resurfacing
Some patients may consider hip resurfacing. The Mayo Clinic explains that this type of surgery involves reshaping the damaged ball of the hip rather than replacing it, as in a traditional hip replacement. The hip socket is then fitted with a metal prosthesis just as it would in a traditional hip replacement surgery. This type of surgery leaves more bone intact than traditional hip replacement, making it a good option for younger patients for whom traditional hip replacement, which typically lasts only 15 years, is not a long-term solution.
